Raami narrates, "my polio, time and again, had proven a blessing in disguise." What are the advantages and disadvantages of her disability? Do you think you could find advantages in such a disability?

Posted Jun. 04, 2013
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rebeccar

Join Date: 03/13/12

Posts: 242

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RE: What are the advantages and disadvantages of Raami's disability?

In some ways because she is physically handicapped, Raami is overlooked - almost as if she doesn't exist. I think some of the Khmer Rouge felt that Raami would soon die anyway. WARNING--POSSIBLE PLOT SPOILER IF YOU HAVEN'T FINISHED THE BOOK.... In Chapter 29, the Secret Guard truly wants Raami killed, but the other guard says she is not worth a bullet.

Posted Jun. 05, 2013
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terri

Join Date: 04/11/12

Posts: 102

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RE: What are the advantages and disadvantages of Raami's disability?

Raami's disability was a disadvantage because she could not walk or run as well as others. She was slow and awkward. Some people, including soldiers, teased her. On the other had, the "Organization" tended to ignore her. She had a bit more freedom than the others.

Posted Jun. 05, 2013
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Lori

Join Date: 09/15/11

Posts: 9

RE: What are the advantages and disadvantages of Raami's disability?

While Raami's disability was a disadvantage in how it affected her self-esteem and her ability to keep up physicially, it was an advantage in that it made her almost non-existent in the world of the Organization. This allowed her to escape notice in spite of her royal lineage and somewhat lowered expectations about the amount of work she was expected to produce.

CubsFanMom02

Posted Jun. 05, 2013
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patm

Join Date: 12/05/12

Posts: 11

RE: What are the advantages and disadvantages of Raami's disability?

Polio was the life saver for Raami. She survived because of this dread disease. Her duties were away from the prying eyes of friends and foes. Sending her to be keep the birds away from the rice, allowed her to eat raw rice and anything else she came upon.

Posted Jun. 06, 2013
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alisonf

Join Date: 01/31/13

Posts: 80

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RE: What are the advantages and disadvantages of Raami's disability?

Raami 's polio kept her away from the masses of workforce laborer's and helped ensure burning fewer calories and less encounters with the Organization. I was always worried that one of the less rational leaders would single her disability out and she would be killed, not worth the food, etc. but thankfully it did not. Raami also never felt sorry for herself and did not see her own disability as a deterrence. Her father seemed to have instilled the sense of strength in her and I do not believe she understood her mother's feeling about her polio so se remained strong and able.

Posted Jun. 06, 2013
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paml

Join Date: 10/25/12

Posts: 45

RE: What are the advantages and disadvantages of Raami's disability?

I agree that her polio saved her life in many instances. It may have also bolstered her immune system, so she didn't become ill. I also believe it made her a different child. She was slow,so she payed attention. She found pleasure in things that most children would ignore. Raami was also already used to be different and an outcast, so perhaps she adapted better to the horrible changes.

Posted Jun. 06, 2013
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joyces

Join Date: 06/16/11

Posts: 368

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RE: What are the advantages and disadvantages of Raami's disability?

Though Raami's disability was unfortunate I think it was a good preparation for the world she was thrown into. She had learned to adapt to her difference from others at a young age and had become studious and introspective which served her well for the most part when the horror began. She had her inspiration from stories both those she had read and all the ones she had been told. It also helped her avoid some of the more difficult work assignments and gave her more freedom to scavenge food and spy on the workings of the Organization. In many ways, though, she was very fortunate to not have been eliminated as worthless to them

Posted Jun. 09, 2013
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kathleenr

Join Date: 12/07/12

Posts: 68

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RE: What are the advantages and disadvantages of Raami's disability?

She was spared some of the work which killed the other children. On the other hand it was part of the jealousy she felt toward her sister. It drew attention to her. It made her the focus of other people's cruelty on occasion. It made all the walking and traveling that much more difficult.

Posted Jun. 12, 2013
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christy

Join Date: 05/22/12

Posts: 41

RE: What are the advantages and disadvantages of Raami's disability?

I could only hope to cope with a physical disability like leg-length discrepancy from polio with the childlike grace and ingenuity of Raami. Her story was like a double rainbow: her strength and her resilience was inspiring.